Microsoft Windows HSC DVD Driver Upgrade Code Execution Vulnerability

RiskHigh

Date Discovered05-11-2004

Description
A security vulnerability has been reported in Microsoft Windows XP and Server 2003 operating systems. This issue exists in the Help and Support Center (HSC) and is due to how the feature handles HCP invocation URIs for DVD driver upgrades.

This issue could be exploited from a malicious web page or HTML e-mail to cause a malicious executable to be run on a vulnerable system. This would occur in the context of the victim user, though it has been reported that significant user interaction is required for exploitation to occur.

While this issue may be exploited through Internet Explorer, it should also be noted that third-party web client software could also invoke HSC via a HCP URI.

Symantec Vulnerability Assessment
Symantec Vulnerability Assessment detects and reports this vulnerability. Click here for the advisory released May 11, 2004.

Symantec Enterprise Security Manager
Symantec Enterprise Security Manager posted an update to the OS Patch Policy that detects and reports systems that are not patched against this vulnerability. Click here for the advisory released May 11, 2004.

RecommendationsRun all client software as a non-privileged user with minimal access rights.All non-administrative tasks such as reading e-mail and browsing the web should be performed as an unprivileged user with minimal access rights. This will reduce the consequences of successful exploitation.

Do not follow links provided by unknown or untrusted sources.This issue may be exploited from a malicious web page. Users should be wary of visiting websites of questionable integrity or following links provided by unfamiliar or suspicious sources.

Do not accept communications that originate from unknown or untrusted sources.This issue may potentially be exploited via HTML e-mail. Disabling support for HTML e-mail in the mail client may limit exposure to this attack vector. HTML e-mail may also be filtered using other means.

Copyright (c) 2004 by Symantec Corp.
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Disclaimer
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